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No parole in 1982 Tulsa crossbow-killing case

TULSA (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin has turned down a parole recommendation for a former police officer serving a life sentence for killing a woman with a poisoned arrow fired from a crossbow.

On Wednesday, Fallin rejected the parole request for 59-year-old Jimmie Dean Stohler. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board had recommended parole for Stohler in February but it required Fallin’s approval.

A spokesman for Fallin reportedly said the governor rejected the request after reviewing the facts and testimony in the case.

Stohler was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the 1982 killing of Michele Powers. Authorities say Powers was shot in the chest and died several days later.

Stohler told authorities that he provided the crossbow in the attack but that he didn’t shoot the arrow.